What's With Maiocco?

Now this thread isn't meant to be a thread to bash MM, because he does an exceptional job covering the team. His blog is great.

However, his draft opinions leave much to be desired, especially when it comes to addressing the needs that the 49ers need to fill.

First, he's spent many of his time supporting the movement for the 49ers to draft McClain. He's backed off that a bit recently because scouts have told him that he's not an "elite" ILB a la Willis, Beason, etc. It has never made sense anyway. I don't see the need to draft another ILB when we have Willis and Spikes in the middle, and just drafted McKillop last year.

But now, he has seemed to be quietly supporting the idea of drafting a 34 DE, such as Odrick from Bust U. Why again? We have perhaps the best 34 DE in football in Smith, a solid starter in Sopoaga, and a good situational pass rusher in MacDonald. Not to mention we just used a first round pick in '07 on Balmer, another 34 DE.

It just seems to me that those positions are the last places where the 49ers should go. Not only are they not immediate needs, but those guys probably would not contribute right away. A RT like Williams or Bulaga would be starters from Day One. Spiller would be used in many situations. A cornerback or safety would see a lot of action either as a starter or in nickle and dime situations.

Spikes doesn't have many years left so I don't think McClain would be a bad pick. He is a beast inside and would be a perfect fit with Willis. Where Willis has speed, McClain has size. Do I think he is the best pick? No, but I don't think it would be a terrible one either. TED may not be a need now, but it could be next year. Drafting just to fill needs is a bad idea as next year new needs will pop up that could be taken care of now.

As for a 3-4 DE, I agree with you that it wouldn't be a good pick but Maiocco was just telling his followers what a respected scout said on the topic.

Odrick is a f**king beast. I honestly think he'd replace Soap from day 1. Soap isn't spectacular or anything, and Odrick is the perfect size for 3-4 DE and he does a good job against the run but he can also get in the backfield pretty well. He's damn good. I would love to see him on this team. LOVE.

As for McClain, he's going to be a good one, but we don't need him. But if we took an OT or whatever, and then took Odrick, I'd like that draft a lot.

I disagree our DL is what it needs to be...not to get to the next level. Sopoaga eats up space...that's about it. An effective 3-4 DE needs to do a lot more than that...so MM and others are saying Odrick would be a very good addition...especially when you consider that Balmer hasn't done much, and Evans & the rest of the b/u's haven't really distinguished themselves. I agree, he was off the mark w/McClain, a very good player, but not a guy Singletary/Mac should really be targeting in the 1st round. One thing to remember...all mock drafts are merely educated guesses. I've done them...and they're not easy. Things change all the time...now they have the combine...things will change again, depending on how good or bad certain players work out. Then there'll be a number of pro days for many, who don't really want to play all their cards at the combine, or who may still be recovering from injuries, etc. Just about everyone agrees one of the OT's will be one of the 1st rounders...after that,
it's BPA, and that could be someone like Spiller, Haden, Warren, Odrick, maybe even Graham. I'd cut MM a little slack...he'll adjust his mock as players rise/fall on draft boards...they're always a work in progress.

Originally posted by 23zack80:Spikes doesn't have many years left so I don't think McClain would be a bad pick. He is a beast inside and would be a perfect fit with Willis. Where Willis has speed, McClain has size. Do I think he is the best pick? No, but I don't think it would be a terrible one either. TED may not be a need now, but it could be next year. Drafting just to fill needs is a bad idea as next year new needs will pop up that could be taken care of now.

As for a 3-4 DE, I agree with you that it wouldn't be a good pick but Maiocco was just telling his followers what a respected scout said on the topic.

I like McClain but he is not a TED. One of the issues with him is shredding blocks and you have to realize he also had Cody taking on some of those blockers.

This site is neither endorsed, nor sponsored by, nor affiliated with San Francisco 49ers or NFL Properties LLC. 49ers is a registered trademark of the San Francisco 49ers LLC. All teams and players mentioned are registered trademarks of the NFL and its respective teams. The use of any team names, words, trademarks, logos or photos have been used for descriptive purposes only. The content and information from other sites is the property of their respective owners. Player and team photos used with permission from USA TODAY Sports Images.